Exploring the Effects of Court Dispositions on Future Domestic Violence Offending: An Analysis of Two Specialized Domestic Violence Courts.

Abstract

This study seeks to explore the relationship between court dispositions and reoffending within and across two specialized domestic violence (DV) courts located in the United States. The samples for this study are comprised of defendants whose cases were disposed of within the two courts between 2004 and 2006. This study assessed the effects of prosecution, conviction, and sentencing decisions on the prevalence, incidence, and time-to-rearrest for a new DV offense in the 3 years post-disposition both within and across courts. Findings indicate a limited crime-control effect of court dispositions on future offending. Furthermore, despite differences in the community context, policies, and court dispositions across the two courts, the magnitude of the disposition-recidivism relationship is similar across courts. It is important to understand the findings within the context of the specific courts; a discussion of the results is provided.